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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hugo states that formal verse can help a young poet locate things to say, and can also _____ him to say things he wouldn't say.

2. What is the name of the only celebrity that comes to visit Hugo's squadron during the war?

3. According to Hugo, _____ keeps alive a self deserving of rejection.

4. Where have three prostitutes set up shop a quarter of a mile from Hugo's squadron?

5. What is the minimum sentence length Hugob advises having in a poem?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hugo see as the inherent flaw in the hiring of some writing teachers?

2. How does Hugo describe teaching the student in a class who is not necessarily good at writing?

3. How is it that Hugo and his wife are able to go to Italy?

4. How does Auden express his disdain for competitiveness among writers?

5. How is "grammarphobia" a problem in writing, according to the author?

6. What does Hugo say a poet should do when a poem is finished?

7. Why does Hugo say to take emotional possession of a few words?

8. What is the atmosphere between the literature and creative writing departments at Montana as described by Hugo?

9. According to Hugo, why are the poet's feelings about himself influential to his writing?

10. Why does Hugo say not to write with a pen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Hugo say that Roethke is a dangerous teacher? How has his teaching influenced the author? How has his teaching influenced David Wagoner?

Essay Topic 2

What does Hugo feel is the role of competition in being a poetry writer? Who does he know that is competitive about it? What is the effect Hugo sees as a result of being competitive?

Essay Topic 3

According to Hugo, what is the relationship between a public poet and his tendency towards didacticism? Use Auden as an example.

(see the answer keys)

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